INTREPID

INTREPID

During our prayer time, the Holy Spirit deposited an encouraging impression.  It was a most unexpected word that resonated deep within my spirit: INTREPID.  Although I felt fairly sure of the meaning of that word, I raced to Dictionary.com for a more complete definition.  INTREPID means “resolutely fearless, dauntless, brave, courageous, daring and bold.”  And that’s how GOD sees US!

It is a resounding echo of what the Lord has been breathing into our spirits as of late, the need to fully embrace what the saints once called “HOLY BOLDNESS.”   The New Testament church had such an unswerving faith in Christ that no issue or obstacle could possibly paralyze their witness of the gospel.

They were Christian combatants-par-excellence, Kingdom movers-and-shakers-extraordinaire, so much so that their enemies were in such awe that they labeled them as “these who have turned the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6) Wow!  Unquestionably, these were an INTREPID brand of disciples, men and women who were absolutely cognizant that “God had not given [them] a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND.” (II Timothy 1:7)

Their commendations-of-courage are well documented in The Holy Writ:

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

“And when they had PRAYED, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31)

“According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also CHRIST will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:20)

These are monumental tributes – communicated by a majestic and marvelous God!

How we admire their spiritual fortitude!  For despite “tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword,” these soldiers of the cross demonstrated a high level of commitment that was ready, able and willing to “endure hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.” (Romans 8:35 – II Timothy 2:3) No matter what challenges appeared, “in all these things” their faith confession was “we are more than conquerors through HIM who loved us. And we are persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE OF GOD which is in CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.” (Romans 8:37-39) What a phenomenal faith!  What an inspirational and INTREPID FAITH!

Likewise, we contemporary Christians take our stand within the framework of a hostile and unholy world system.  And just like the early church, we are fully equipped with THE INTREPIDITY OF CHRIST.  That is, we possess the mind of Christ and as such “we have BOLDNESS and ACCESS with CONFIDENCE through FAITH in HIM.” (Ephesians 3:12)

Such supreme confidence is the very epitome and expression of divine love.  And we know that “there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.” (I John 4:18) It’s encouraging to note that even at the end of our days this same INTREPID SPIRIT is resident in the saints as we enter into the manifest presence of Almighty God.  Indeed, it is HIS unfathomable “LOVE…perfected in us…that [enables us to] have BOLDNESS in the day of judgment; because as HE is, so are we in this world.” (Philippians 2:5 – I John 4:17)

This means that we shall never cower or turn our backs on the enemy.  Nor will we ever doubt the power and preeminence of CHRIST.  We will take our stand with absolute faith in HIS WORD, as we are securely cloaked in “the whole armor of God” and ever ready to “fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life.” (Ephesians 6:11 –  I Timothy 6:12)

Therefore, my INTREPID spiritual siblings, “having done all” make sure that you “STAND!” (Ephesians 6:13)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!